Perinatal outcomes of pregnant refugees/asylum seekers in Slovenia during the 2015–2016 humanitarian corridor

Introduction. During 2015 and 2016, a large number of refugees, including women, travelling along the so-called Balkan route crossed Slovenia. Studies increasingly show that women who migrate have different perinatal health outcomes compared to citizens. Aim. To review perinatal outcomes in pregnant refugees/asylum seekers giving birth in Slovenia during the 2015–2016 “humanitarian corridor”. Methods. Questionnaires on numbers of pregnant refugees/asylum seekers giving birth in Slovenia during 2015–2016, their perinatal outcomes and their perinatal care were sent to state institutions (Ministry of Health, Ministry of Internal Affairs, and National Institute for Public Health) and all 14 country’s maternity hospitals. Results. Data on perinatal outcomes in refugees/asylum seekers were available only at maternity hospitals, suggesting there is no national governmental system for collecting information on health of pregnant refugees/asylum seekers in Slovenia. Twelve refugees/asylum seekers who delivered in Slovenia during the “humanitarian corridor” in 2015–2016 were identified. Three (25%) of these deliveries were preterm births (<37 weeks of gestation). There were two (16%) emergency cesarean deliveries and no stillbirths or neonatal deaths. Average neonatal birth weight was 3130 g. Discussion. A very high (25%) preterm birth rate and a high emergency cesarean rate (16%) in the population of refugees/asylum seekers delivering in Slovenia during 2015–2016 “humanitarian corridor” was found. This study also identified several inadequacies in perinatal data collection in pregnant refugees/asylum seekers in Slovenia. Conclusions. Given the potentially higher incidence of perinatal complications, such as preterm birth or need for emergency cesarean delivery, seen in the present study, it is important to develop systems of data collection in pregnant refugees/asylum seekers